What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 20:31? So Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. • The verse opens by restating the fact of Jehoshaphat’s kingship, reminding us that leadership is granted—and evaluated—by God (see 2 Chronicles 17:3–5; Romans 13:1). • Coming immediately after the dramatic victory in 2 Chronicles 20:22–30, the line underlines that God not only delivers His people but also sustains the ruler who trusts Him (compare 1 Samuel 12:13–15). • Judah’s throne remained in the Davidic line, fulfilling promises like 2 Samuel 7:16: “Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me”. • Practical takeaway: God-honoring leadership brings stability to God’s people (Proverbs 29:2). He was thirty-five years old when he became king. • At thirty-five, Jehoshaphat was mature enough to rule yet young enough to lead energetically. • Scripture often notes a ruler’s age to highlight God’s timing: – David: “David was thirty years old when he became king” (2 Samuel 5:4). – Uzziah: sixteen (2 Chronicles 26:1). – Josiah: eight (2 Chronicles 34:1). • These contrasts show God equips different servants at different stages; obedience matters more than age (1 Timothy 4:12). • Jehoshaphat’s early years likely prepared him for the reforms recorded in 2 Chronicles 17:7–9. and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. • A twenty-five-year reign signals relative peace and divine favor (compare 1 Kings 15:14; 2 Chronicles 17:10). • Key moments during those years: – Spiritual reforms and nationwide teaching of the Law (2 Chronicles 17:7–9). – Misstep in allying with Ahab, yet repentance followed (2 Chronicles 19:2–4). – The famed prayer and victory over the Moabite-Ammonite coalition (2 Chronicles 20:5–22). • Long reigns often allow either entrenched sin or sustained righteousness; Jehoshaphat’s record shows how quickly blessing follows humility (James 4:6). • Jerusalem remains the covenant center (Psalm 48:1–3), prefiguring the Messianic Kingship of Christ (Luke 1:32–33). His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. • Mentioning the queen mother was standard (1 Kings 14:21), underscoring her influence in the royal household. • God honors the role of mothers in shaping future leaders (Proverbs 31:1; 2 Timothy 1:5). • Azubah’s name surfaces only here and in 1 Kings 22:42, yet her inclusion speaks to God’s meticulous record-keeping of family lines (Malachi 3:16). • The reference reminds readers that personal faithfulness often starts within the family circle (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). summary 2 Chronicles 20:31 is more than a historical footnote; it anchors Jehoshaphat’s story in concrete details that testify to God’s sovereign hand. His divinely granted throne, timely installation at thirty-five, sustained twenty-five-year reign, and godly family background all weave together to show that righteous leadership, grounded in personal and familial faithfulness, invites God’s enduring blessing on His people. |
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